Addiction Services – Prevention and Service Support Team (PSST)

The Prevention and Service Support Team (PSST) is responsible for the development, co-ordination, delivery and facilitation of alcohol and drug-related training events throughout Ayrshire and Arran. 

The team’s main objective and commitment is to provide a wide range of education and training initiatives which focus on improving awareness, competence and knowledge of those affected by alcohol and drug use, and those working in the field.

All our training courses are offered free of charge to those who live or work in Ayrshire and Arran.

We offer a mix of face-to-face and online training, helping make our learning opportunities as accessible and flexible as possible.

You can call the PSST on 01294 476000 (option 3).

PSST – Service development

The Prevention and Service Support Team also encompasses a Service Development role that forms an integral part of the wider team and plays a key role in driving service improvement and innovation.

The team supports quality improvement, governance and service development across Ayrshire and Arran Alcohol and Drug Services.

This includes:

• coordinating audits
• monitoring compliance with standards and recommendations
• supporting services to develop improvement plans and demonstrate positive outcomes

The team gathers, analyses and reports information to support service improvement and decision-making.

They also support the development of:

• recording and reporting systems
• guidance
• procedures
• information resources

Working closely with clinical, training and operational teams, they:

• help ensure services continue to improve, meet local and national requirements
• provide safe, effective and person-centred care

For further information about service development within Addictions Services, please contact:

• Denise Brown, Addictions Service Development Facilitator Specialist: Denise.Brown6@aapct.scot.nhs.uk
• Chris Myles, Addictions Education & Prevention Specialist: Chris.Myles@aapct.scot.nhs.uk

Training calendar

Our training courses are continually updated and adapted in order to provide the most up-to-date and relevant information in the field of substance use.

The courses are open to all services, organisations and members of the community within Ayrshire and Arran, and are provided free of charge.  

The team are also actively involved in a number of working groups and partnerships across Ayrshire, including:

• the Area Drug Partnerships (ADPs)
• the Blood Borne Virus (BBV) Managed Care Network

These involve participation in regular meetings, development sessions, planning events and the provision of training and prevention activities to support the local and national agreed strategies.

Advanced Drug Awareness

Advanced look at drugs including prevalence rates of drug use, UK’s Misuse of Drugs Act and the main neurotransmitters effected by drug use. We recommend you attend Basic Drug Awareness first.

Alcohol Awareness

This course is designed to raise awareness, increase knowledge and confidence of alcohol and issues related to alcohol.  This level caters for all staff and partner agencies who require a basic knowledge of the issues surrounding alcohol

Alcohol Brief Interventions

This course is designed to provide an insight into the “what, when and how” of Alcohol Brief Interventions. Participants will gain an understanding of alcohol units, how to calculate them and the rationale of alcohol guidance. They will gain the skills to apply knowledge to raise the subject, screen and choose a suitable approach for the individual, using motivational interviewing skills.

Alcohol and Drug Brief Interventions

This course is designed to provide the knowledge of drinking guidelines and how to calculate units of alcohol. Participants will be able to raise the issue and provide feedback regarding the harms of alcohol and drug use. They will understand the importance of the cycle of change and identify the stage of change for any client. On completion of the course participants will have the practical skills required to deliver a Brief Intervention for alcohol and drug use.

Basic Alcohol-Related Brain Damage

This basic course examines what Alcohol-Related Brain Damage (ARBD) is and what causes it. The training discusses the importance of thiamine and the negative effects alcohol has on the brain. It will also examine the signs and symptoms of the associated conditions, treatment options and recovery. The alcohol detox process, referral process and diagnostic tools are briefly discussed in this basic course.

Basic Drug Awareness

This course provides a basic outline into different types of drug use and the different categories of drugs. It also examines general and specific effects they have on the individual. The course looks at terminology associated with drug use and the barriers this creates for people accessing services. This level course is for those who have very little or no prior knowledge of illicit drugs and their use.

Benzodiazepines (bitesize)

This 45-minute lunchtime bitesize session is delivered in a podcast style aimed at providing information in a short period. A brief overview designed to provide a basic awareness of different types of Benzodiazepine drugs and associated risks.

Cannabis

This course examines the difference between THC and CBD and the effects they have on the mind and body. The different routes of administration are discussed, including THC vaping and edibles. Mental health and medicinal cannabis will also be explored with harm reduction information throughout.

Cocaine and Other Stimulants

Exploring stimulant drugs and their effects.

Current Drug Trends

This course is designed to provide an insight into current local drug trends and ongoing trends. You will identify the categories and risks associated with the use of these drugs, we will also look at emerging developments in the area.  We recommend completing Basic Drug Awareness before attending this course.

Drink Spiking

This course will examine different routes of spiking, including drink spiking and spiking by injection. It will discuss the most common substances used in spiking and what to do in an emergency situation. A guest speaker from The Star Centre will co-facilitate the training to briefly discuss gender-based violence and drug-facilitated sexual assault.

Female Drug Use

The Female Drug Use course is aimed at those who work with vulnerable women or wish to explore the topic of how drug use impacts on females in our society. The course explores several topics, such as local and national drug prevalence statistics for women and societal attitudes. The course also examines issues surrounding female offenders, and pregnant women who use substances and how this can impact on the individual and those around them. This course can be delivered both face to face and via Microsoft Teams to suit learning needs.

Harm Reduction

This training provides an understanding of harm reduction and how to advise service users about risky drug use behaviours while educating them on safer practices. It highlights the support and interventions available through Injecting Equipment Provision (IEP) services. Participants will recognise core harm reduction messages, including Change Talk. Training will outline risky practices undertaken by people who inject drugs (PWID), including poly-drug use. The training also covers wounds and infections associated with injecting drugs, the transmission routes and risky behaviours that increase the risk of blood-borne viruses, and the treatment options available. In addition, it explains how to prevent wounds and infections through measures such as good hand hygiene and the safe handling and disposal of sharps.

Harm Reduction (bitesize)

This 45-minute lunch time bitesize session is delivered in a podcast style, aimed at providing information in a short period. It aims to raise awareness while providing a basic understanding of harm reduction.

Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs (IPEDs)

Focusing on what an Image and Performance Enhancing Drug is, and safer injecting practice.

Introduction to Mental Health and Substance Misuse

This course is designed to provide an overview of mental health presentations, including mood disorder, anxiety, personality disorder and psychosis. Participants will gain an understanding of the link between mental health and substance use and the risks associated with this co-existence. This course is designed for participants with limited knowledge of the subject, as it is an introduction to the topic.

Ketamine Awareness

Exploring Ketamine risks and effects.

Naloxone

The Naloxone Awareness course is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and practical skills required to provide effective overdose education, and administer Naloxone and basic life support. Following completion of training, participants are offered a naloxone kit.

Nitazenes and Xylazines (bitesize)

This half hour bitesize session will look at the rise of Nitazenes and Xylazine in the current illicit drug supply. We will also look at the risks and harms that are emerging from the use.

Pregnancy and Substance Use

This course was developed for those working with women at risk of drug use during pregnancy, or wishing to explore to the explore the topic for deeper understanding. The Pregnancy and Drug Use course compliments our Female Drug Use course, with the aim of widening our understanding of the complexities women can face using drugs during pregnancy. This course will explore different substances and what effects are caused during pregnancy, and issues surrounding this such as breast feeding, societal attitudes, support and the impact on parenting and the parents. This course can be delivered both face to face and via Microsoft Teams to suit learning needs.

Recovery and Relapse Prevention

This training session provides an understanding of recovery, lapse and relapse, and how to guide service users through a person-centred individualised recovery process. Recognise the various concepts and models linked to recovery, including peer support interventions. Define key terms used in relapse prevention. Understand and apply some of the therapeutic components of relapse prevention therapy. Identify the prescribed medications available to assist with relapse prevention. Signpost to pan-Ayrshire services for those in recovery.

Substance Withdrawal Awareness (bitesize)

Exploring substance withdrawal symptoms.

Understanding Stigma (bitesize)

This 30-minute lunch time bitesize session is delivered in a podcast style, aimed at providing information in a short period. A brief overview, designed to provide knowledge into different types of stigma and how it can impact a person.

Volatile Substance Use (bitesize)

Volatile Substance Use bitesize session will give participants an understanding of what solvent abuse is, products used and methods of use, as well as highlight the effects and risks. 

Working with Young People

This course is designed to look at what forms of drug use are prevalent within young people. This course will also equip participants with the confidence to use a range of prevention and intervention tools relating to substance use among young people.